Page 9 of The Prince of Demons
His posture went preternaturally still. “What did you just call me?”
“A coward.” I used all my willpower to stand my ground. Demons valued cunning, loyalty, and valor. To insult a demon’s intelligence, devotion to the dark, or bravery was to incite a death wish. “And you will explain what you did to the body before I slay you.”
“Ooh, spicy.”
“Shut up!”
“You and I know full well I am innocent,” he said, his voice a deadly rasp. “And I am busy trying to catch the being that isn’t.” He spat out ‘the being’ like it was a curse of the foulest kind.
The being that isn’t?What did that mean? I was so high on adrenaline I could barely pierce together his sentences. Were these the effects of the whispering woods? You heard things that made little sense? Was this conversation even real? Was he even real?
“So you didn’t just turn a wolf into dust,” I accused.
He cursed. “Of course I did, you stalling fox.” His gaze raked over my body. “I cannot believe you have turned a goblin into a protector.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Why did you rip out his heart? I’ve had enough of the obvious questions.”
“Then release my friends, and let us finish you.” I managed. My voice was surprisingly steady despite my trembling heart.
He threw his head back and laughed. “You and I both know you have never had a friend.”
Why was he talking to me like he knew me personally? Demons truly were insane. “Why did you kill the wolf? Answer me!”
My mother always told me I had a self-destructive streak. The stranger’s withering glare directed at me was almost an exact replica of hers. He stepped forward, and I braced myself for sudden death when he paused.
Suddenly, a set of coal-colored wings materialized into a bird on his shoulder. It glanced down, then up, then squinted at me. Like it judged. It flicked its beak to Reaper and gave an almost imperceptible shake of the head. Like I’d failed some imaginary test.
“Return home, Sam.” Reaper hissed to the crow. “Let the King know there’s nothing—” he glared at me—“I can do about the gumiho right now, given her current protector.”
The King? Who did he serve? And was he some sort of demon knight?
Or worse—maybe he was a mercenary from the other side. If he was responsible for killing a turned wolf and strong enough to freeze three men, his magic must be exceptionally potent…
“Go home, GAKSI!” Reaper thundered, making me flinch. “I will destroy this creature, whether or not I have to take you out with it.”
Adam let out a low growl, shuddering in place. Xavier yelped once before freezing too.
“Stay away from Gaksi,” I snapped back, hands on my hips. I strode forward, high on the defensive. No one threatened my family. In the Deokhye clan, we lived together, we died together.
“Demon!” Lukas interjected, walking, hands raised, from his hiding place. “Take me instead—”
Tar-coated vines coiled up from the ground, silencing him.
The three-legged crow squawked. “Light and dark, Sam, do you only arrive to criticize my magic skills?” Reaper growled, addressing the bird again. If my heart weren’t thundering, I’d laugh. He stepped around Lukas casually, like a man writhing in vines was an everyday occurrence to him.
“What is your problem?” I asked. Slyly, I slipped my hand behind my back. The only thing close to a weapon I had left was my water bottle, which might have been enough to distract him. Since Gaksi was being useless, my best course of action was to flee. Talking to this demon any further felt unwise.
“My problem?” he snapped. “My problem?”
“He’s about to blow,” Gaksi sounded off in my head. “Release your shadows.”
My reserve was almost empty from this morning. But I inhaled deeply, letting my darkness rise to the surface.
It glimmered a dark violet, encasing my flesh, coating my body like a caress.
The demon halted, rigid as a statue. His face froze, panicked and wild, like he was seeing a wild animal. Terror flashed across his eyes, which widened to where I could see the white beyond the storming back.